Welcome, and thank you for visiting my Ward web page.

Welcome, and thank you for visiting my Ward web page. Whether you are a student, parent or resident, as your elected representative for the TDSB, it is my role to advocate on your behalf. On the TDSB site, and on this page, you can stay informed on what’s happening at the Board, including policies under review, program updates and discussions around new initiatives to improve student success.

On this site, you can also learn more about ways you can get involved and participate in the education process, like attending Board meetings or checking out other volunteer opportunities. Education is a shared responsibility, and I welcome and encourage your participation in our public school system.

Trustee Alexander Brown

Willowdale Schools - Ward 12

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! I hope the summer break provided some much needed down time with family and friends. I want to thank you for your understanding, patience and partnership as we work together to welcome students and staff back to school, and overcome any potential challenges to the on-going pandemic.

As the public school Trustee for Willowdale, I’m here to keep you informed, involved, and to ensure that all students get the most out of our education system. I’m pleased to share some important information and updates in this newsletter.

In preparing to return to a more normal school year, the TDSB is doing everything possible to ensure the health and safety of all school community members, while also providing the best academic experience possible for students, supporting mental health and well-being, and considering the needs of families and staff. We continue to take our direction from Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Education, and we will provide updates in a timely manner.

To learn more, check out the Back to School section in this newsletter or go to the TDSB website: www.tdsb.on.ca/school-year-2021-22 .

I also encourage you to visit the webpage for parents www.tdsb.on.ca/forparents where you can find many helpful resources for parents and students: homework tips, the school-year calendar, transportation information, supports for mental health, healthy living, bullying, special education, parent involvement and more.

Your involvement in your child’s education and school life plays a very important role in ensuring the success of our schools and students. There are a variety of ways that you can get involved and contribute to your school community. From volunteering in your local school to participating in school councils or advisory committees, you can make a difference and have your voice heard.

To explore these opportunities, and others visit www.tdsb.on.ca/getinvolved.

Finally, you can always get in touch with me directly by email or phone. I’m here to help. To stay informed, please sign up for my e-newsletter at alexander.brown@ tdsb.on.ca and visit my webpage at www.tdsb.on.ca/ ward12. For system-wide news about the Toronto District School Board, subscribe to TDSB Update at www.tdsb. on.ca/TDSBupdate and follow the TDSB on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Throughout the year, you will also continue to receive important information and updates from your school and the system via email. I look forward to working with you to improve student achievement and create healthier learning environments for all.

Sincerely,

Alexander
Ward 12, Willowdale

For a translation of this letter in FARSI
For a translation of this letter in Mandarin
For a translation of this letter in Korean

Back to School - Health and Safety

On August 3rd, the Ministry of Education released its operational plan for the coming school year. I’ve listed a few highlights of the Ministry’s plans along with TDSB commitments to health and safety:

Students will attend in-person learning daily for the full school day in elementary and secondary schools. Remote learning will remain an option. At the TDSB, most students have chosen to return to an in-person classroom.
Students in Grades 1 to 12are required to wear properly fitted non-medical or cloth masks indoorsin school, but not outside. At the TDSB, we also require Kindergarten (JK/SK) students to wear non- medical or cloth masks.
Medical masks are required to be worn by school staff and visitors indoors, but not required outdoors.
Distancing between different cohorts in shared indoor spaces should be maintained.
All staff and students must conduct a self-screening at home before coming to school. On-site confirmation of that screening may be required at highly transmissible times such as following a holiday.
Every occupied classroom at the TDSB will have one or more HEPA filter units installed. To learn more about Ventilation visit www.tdsb.on.ca/School-Year-2021-22
Students can participate in extracurricular activities and field trips as per relevant provincial requirements under the Reopening Ontario Act. Assemblies will continue to be held virtually.
Libraries, computer labs and cafeterias will be open.
Secondary schools will offer a modified semester model

For the most up to date information on learning models, mental health and well-being resources, health and safety measures, our pandemic recovery plan and more, please refer to www.tdsb.on.ca/school- year-2021-22. This webpage will continue to be updated with relevant information and resources to help support you and your family.

New Director of Education:

The TDSB welcomes Colleen Russell-Rawlins as Director of Education. She officially started on August 5th. She has held senior leadership positions with the Peel (Interim Director) and Toronto District School Boards. Colleen focuses on Equity as the foundation for improving student confidence, engagement, and achievement. As Associate Director (TDSB), she led improvements in early literacy, family engagement, childcare, and professional learning in equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. Colleen holds a Master ofEducation, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from York University. In 2020, Colleen was recognized as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Women in Canada. We are happy to have her leadership at the TDSB. To Learn more about Director Russell-Rawlins visit www.tdsb.on.ca (click on the Director Icon)

Budget 2021-22: Reserves used to cover deficit and avoid cuts to programs and services, but Board urges Province to fully fund all pandemic costs.

Trustees approved the 2021-22 Operating Budget on June 30th. To support the safe and effective return to school in September, the $3.49B budget includes additional investments in the following areas: staffing supports; mental health; special education; student transportation health and safety; school operations; ventilation; and, re-engaging students.The TDSB’s 2021-22 deficit, which includes the Board’s pre-pandemic structural deficit and pandemic- related costs, is forecasted to be $59M. To avoid reducing programs and services for students during the pandemic, TDSB reserves will be used to cover these costs and balance next year’s budget. To learn more about the Budget visit www.tdsb.on.ca (Budget Icon)While the Ministry of Education has announced extra funding to offset the use of reserves to support pandemic costs incurred by school boards, the TDSB is not eligible because its pandemic costs do not exceed 2% of the Board’s operating budget. I wrote a letter to the Minister of Education advocating to have all pandemic-related costs covered through provincial funding. The letter can be found at www.tdsb.on.ca/ward12

School Council: Find out how to get involved ...

The purpose of School Councils is to improve student achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents. School councils make recommendations to their Principals, the local Trustee and the Board on any matter. Principals and school boards must consult with school councils on a variety of matters that affect student learning. They must also consider recommendations made by school councils and report back to the councils on how they plan to act on their advice. A comprehensive guide to school council operations is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education: School Councils: A Guide for Members. Visit www.torontopiac.com to learn a lot more about School Councils and how you can get involved as a parent and school leader. Everyone is welcome to join a School Council. I look forward to working with you locally to improve schools and outcomes for all students.

Important Contacts for School Council Issues:

Michelle Munroe, Central Coordinator
Parent and Community Engagement
michelle.munroe@tdsb.on.ca
416-397-3528

Susan Lee, Parent Involvement Advisory Committe Rep
(Willowdale/Ward 12)
info@torontopiac.com

Ward Forums 2021-2022

Every school year I host several ward meetings for parents/guardians, school councils and students. The meetings give me a chance to connect with you directly, provide useful information, and create an opportunity to share your experiences and open lines of communication with others in Willowdaleschools. The location for each ward forum will be chosen once dates have been confirmed. Childcare and translation services will be available at all meetings, if requested. I am hopeful that all Ward Forums will be in-person. Details will be shared closer to the event.

For 2021 I will host WARD FORUMS with the following topics:
Special Education – (Early October)
Mental Health and Well-Being – (Late October)
School Councils – (November)

For more details visit my website, www.tdsb.on.ca/ward12/ and sign up for my e-newsletter

2021-22 Important Dates

For more information, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/schoolyearcalendar

Budget 2021-2022

Reserves used to cover deficits and avoid cuts to programs and services, but Board urges Province to fully fund all pandemic costs.

I wrote a letter to the Minister of Education advocating to have all pandemic-related costs covered through provincial funding.

Ward 12 Willowdale Superintendents

Your local Superintendents are:

Marwa Hamid (LN8) - Marwa.Hamid@tdsb.on.ca

List of Learning Network 8 Schools

Domenic Giorgi (LN12) - Domenic.Giorgi@tdsb.on.ca

List of Learning Network 12 Schools

Willowdale Ward Meetings

Every year, we hold a number of meetings in Willowdale at local schools to which all those who are interested in education in Willowdale are invited. We often invite guest speakers as well. These are prominent educators and education experts to give advice on how to best support the needs of the TDSB's students. We also give updates on current educational happenings and organize events to benefit schools across Willowdale.